British Newspaper: 'Vietnam puts Indonesia's championship title on the line
Guardian newspaper believes that Indonesia's 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup championship is not enough to confirm that they are the strongest team in Southeast Asia, when Vietnam has just successfully defended the ASEAN Cup title.
British newspaper: 'Vietnam puts Indonesia's championship title on the line
According to Vnexpress.
Context
Indonesia has had an impressive journey at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, but whether they can maintain their form and assert their position in the region is still a big question. Vietnam, with impressive achievements at the ASEAN Cup, is a formidable opponent that Indonesia needs to overcome in the next tournaments.
Why this is important
Indonesia's 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup championship is causing controversy regarding their position in Southeast Asian football. Vietnam, with its record of successfully defending the ASEAN Cup title, has affirmed its strength, causing many people to question Indonesia's ability to maintain this title. This not only affects Indonesia's reputation but also affects the next season and tournaments.
Main point
- British newspaper: 'Vietnam puts Indonesia's championship title on the line.
- The Guardian newspaper believes that Indonesia's 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup championship is not enough to confirm that they are the strongest team in Southeast Asia, when Vietnam has just successfully defended the ASEAN Cup title.
- British Newspaper: 'Vietnam puts Indonesia's championship title in question' - VnExpress Sports Newspaper.
In a recent article, the Guardian pointed out that the Indonesian team's 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup championship is still controversial. According to journalist John Duerden, this victory is not enough for Indonesia to be recognized as the strongest team in Southeast Asia, especially when Vietnam has just successfully defended its title in the traditional ASEAN Cup tournament.
Mr. Duerden emphasized that the FIFA ASEAN Cup championship can be quickly forgotten, because Southeast Asia has had a long-standing tournament for teams in the region, the ASEAN Cup, held every two years since 1996. In the 16th edition last summer, Vietnam excellently defeated Thailand with a total score of 4-2 after two rounds of the final to maintain the throne.
Indonesia lifted the championship trophy after the final match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on October 5, 2026. To be in the final, Indonesia had to face Bangladesh in a deciding match. They need to win by a larger margin than Malaysia in the match at the same time as Singapore to pass the group stage. Malaysia won 6-0, while Indonesia led Bangladesh 7-2 as the match entered the final minutes. The home team scored two more goals in the 96th and 97th minutes to end the match with a score of 9-2, thereby winning a ticket to the semi-finals.
Thailand, the other team in the final, had a more favorable journey when they topped their group. Coach Anthony Hudson's team had a 4-0 win over Pakistan and 2-0 against Vietnam, but lost 1-2 to the Philippines in the final match of the group stage after rotating their forces.
However, the Guardian also points out that this new tournament has not yet attracted a large audience. Images of deserted stands have appeared in many matches, showing that the FIFA ASEAN Cup has not created a big attraction in the region. Even for the final match between Indonesia and Thailand, only about 67,000 spectators were present in Jakarta. The interest in the tournament is still not comparable to the status of the ASEAN Cup, which often attracts millions of fans. Even besides the home matches, many matches only have a few hundred to a thousand spectators in attendance.
Although Indonesia can call itself the FIFA ASEAN Cup champion, Vietnam still holds the ASEAN Cup title, a tournament with a long history and a traditional playground of Southeast Asian football. The competition between regional teams is always attractive and difficult, and this makes Indonesia's championship even more controversial.
What happens next
With Vietnam having proven its strength at the ASEAN Cup, Indonesia will need to make more efforts to assert itself in the region. They may have to reconsider their strategy and squad to prepare for upcoming tournaments, including the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. Hot news about the next matches will be an opportunity for Indonesia to prove its abilities against opponents like Thailand and the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Indonesia won the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup with what score?
The article does not provide information about the score of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup final.
Does Vietnam have any influence on Indonesia's championship?
Vietnam successfully defended its title in the ASEAN Cup tournament, leaving Indonesia's championship title in question.
What were Thailand's results in the group stage?
Thailand topped its group with a 4-0 win over Pakistan and 2-0 against Vietnam, but lost 1-2 to the Philippines.
When will the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 final take place?
The 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup final takes place on October 5, 2026.
With what score did Vietnam defeat Thailand in the ASEAN Cup final?
Vietnam defeated Thailand with a total score of 4-2 after two rounds of the final.
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